Packaging machine for slat-like articles



Nov. 11, 1969 e. w. SMALL PACKAGING MACHINE FOR SLAT-LIKE ARTICLES Filed July 19. 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.|

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ATrofz/vey United States Patent 3,477,201 PACKAGING MACHINE FOR SLAT-LIKE ARTICLES Guy W. Small, Covina, Calif. 91722 Filed July 19, 1965, Ser. No. 479,361 Int. Cl. B65b 35/50, 35/40; 365g 57/081 U.S. Cl. 53-161 13 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A packaging machine for slat-like articles of manufacture, such as carpet anchor strips, is provided. The machine has an infeed platform terminating at a stacking well containing a stacking platform which is vertically movable within the well. The slat-like articles to be packaged are intermittently fed laterally in side by side relation along the infeed platform to periodically locate a leading group of the articles on the stacking platform. A following group of the articles on the infeed platform are then extracted and placed in an inverted position upon the leading group of articles. The stacking platform is then lowered to locate the uppermost group of articles flush with the infeed platform and the above stacking procedure is repeated. This stacking procedure continues until a predetermined number of the articles have been stacked on the stacking platform, after which the stack of articles are rejected endwise from the stacking well into a carton or the like.

This invention relates generally to packaging machines and has more particular reference to a novel packaging machine for slat-like articles of manufacture, such as carpet anchor strips.

Wall to wall carpeting is commonly attached to floors by means of so-called carpet anchor strips. A carpet anchor strip comprises a wooden slat equipped with tacks which are driven through the slat in such a way that their pointed ends protrude a distance above the normally upper surface of the slat. When installing a carpet with the aid of such anchor strips, the latter are nailed or otherwise attached to the floor about the perimeter of the carpet. The carpet is then stretched and its perimetrical edge portion is pressed down over the protruding anchor striptacks, thereby to firmly secure the carpet to the anchor strips.

Co-pending application Ser. No. 464,256 filed Apr. 19, 1965, entitled Machine for Pre-Nailing and Pre- Tacking Carpet Strips, discloses a machine for driving tacks and nails into wooden slats to form carpet anchor strips of the type discussed above. In this machine, the slats are successively advanced, in the endwise direction, through a tacking station and a nailing station. At the tacking station, a number of carpet tacks are driven into the normally underside of each slat to positions wherein the heads of the tacks seat against the normally under surface of the slat and the pointed ends of the tacks protrude a distance above the normally upper surface of the slat. Upon subsequent arrival of each slat at the nailing station, the slat is inverted and a number of nails are driven part way through the slat from its normally upper side to form a completed anchor strip. The completed anchor strip, then, comprises a wooden slat having both tacks and nails projecting above its normally upper surface.

The present invention is intended primarily for packaging anchor strips of this type. The embodiment of the invention which has been chosen for illustration, for example, is designed for use with the carpet strip tacking and nailing machine of the aforementioned co-pending application. Thus, the packaging machine disclosed herein is uniquely constructed and arranged to receive each com- 3,477,201 Patented Nov. 11, 1969 "ice pleted carpet anchor strip from the tacking and nailing machine and to stack and package the anchor strips in a new and unique way. Briefly, according to the present invention, a given number of anchor strips, comprising a first anchor strip group, are conveyed to stacking positions on a stacking platform, wherein the anchor strips are disposed side by side with their upper surfaces (i.e., the surfaces from which the anchor strip tacks and nails project) facing away from the platform, thereby to form an upright layer of anchor strips. Thereafter, a second group of anchor strips, containing said given number of strips, are conveyed to stacking positions on top of said upright anchor strip layer, wherein the anchor strips of the second group are disposed side by side with their normally upper surfaces facing the stacking platform, thereby to form on top of the first, upright layer of anchor strips, a second inverted layer of anchor strips. These layers are separated by the intervening protruding tacks and nails of the strips. The stacking process is repeated a predetermined number of times to produce a stack of carpet anchor strips composed of a number of alternate upright and inverted anchor strip layers. At the conclusion of the stacking operation, the completed anchor strip stack is ejected from the stacking platform to a packaging station of the packaging machine- In the disclosed embodiment of the invention, this packaging station is equipped with means for positioning an open carton to receive the ejected anchor strip stack and for thereafter sealing the carton to complete the packaging operation.

While the invention is primarily intended for use in connection with, and is particularly suitable for the packaging of carpet anchor strips, it will become evident as the description proceeds that the invention may be employed to package other kinds of slat-like articles. Accordingly, the invention should not be regarded as limited in usefulness to the packaging of carpet anchor strips.

A general object of the invention, therefore, is to provide a new and unique packaging machine for slatlike articles, such as carpet anchor strips.

Another object of the invention is to provide a packaging machine of the character described which is fully automatic in operation.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a packaging machine of the character described wherein the carpet anchor strips or other slat-like articles to be packaged are initially stacked one on top of the other in successive layers to form a completed stack, the stack is conveyed into an open carton, and the carton is sealed to complete the packaging operation.

A related object of the invention is to provide a packaging machine of the character described for carpet anchor strips having tacks and nails projecting above the normally upper surfaces, and wherein the anchor strips are stacked in alternate upright and inverted layers, in such a way as to minimize the overall dimensions of the completed stack.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a packaging machine of the character described which is relatively simple in construction, economical to manufacture, reliable in operation, and otherwise ideally suited to its intended purposes.

Other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become readily apparent as the description proceeds.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of the invention, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter set forth, pointed out in the appended claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In these drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view, partially broken away, of the rear side of a carpet anchor strip packaging machine according to the invention and illustrates the machine in the act of ejecting a completed stack of carpet anchor strips from the stacking station to the packaging station of the machine;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the front side of the packaging machine of FIGURE 1 with parts broken away for the sake of clarity;

FIGURE 3 is a section taken on line 3-3 in FIG- URE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged section taken on line 4-4 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged section taken on line 5--5 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 6 is a section taken on line 66 in FIG- URE 2;

FIGURE 7 is a section taken on line 7-7 in FIG- URE 3 at the conclusion of the stacking operation;

FIGURE 8 is an enlargement of the area encircled by the arrow 8 in FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged section taken on line 99 in FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged section taken on line 1010 in FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged view looking in the direction of the arrows on line 1111 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 12 is an enlarged view looking in the direction of the arrows on line 1212 in FIGURE 11;

FIGURE 13 is an enlarged view looking in the direction of the arrows on line 1313 in FIGURE 8; and

FIGURE 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating the electrical circuitry of the present packaging machine.

The packaging machine illustrated in these drawings comprises a frame 22 having an infeed station 24, a stacking station 26, and a packaging station 28. As noted earlier, the packaging machine 20 is designed for use with a carpet anchor strip nailing and tacking machine of the type disclosed in co-pending application Ser. No. 464,256, now Patent No. 3,306,511. Reference numeral in FIGURES 1 and 2 designates a tacking and nailing machine of this type.

The completed carpet anchor strip produced by the tacking and nailing machine 30 is designated in the drawings by the reference character A. Anchor strip A comprises a wooden slat S. Projecting above the normally upper surface of this slat are the pointed ends of carpet tacks T and the headed ends of nails N. The carpet anchor strip is attached to the floor by driving the nails N through the slat S into the floor to positions wherein the nail heads seat against the upper surface of the slat. A carpet to be installed is then pressed down over the protruding ends of the tacks T.

At the infeed station 24 of the present packaging machine 20 is an infeed mechanism 32. This infeed mechanism conveys each completed carpet anchor strip A in the endwise direction from the nailing machine 30 to an anchor strip stacking mechanism 34 at the stacking station 26. This stacking mechanism stacks the incoming anchor strips A on a stacking platform 36 at the stacking station to form a completed stack B of anchor strips. As noted earlier, and hereinafter explained in greater detail, the anchor strips are stacked in alternate upright and inverted layers which rest one on top of the other. At the conclusion of the stacking operation, an outfeed conveyor means 38 is operated to eject the stack B of anchor strips from the stacking station 26 to the packaging station 28. This latter station is equipped with means 40 for positioning an open carton C to receive the anchor strip stack B ejected from the stacking station and with means 42 for sealing the ends of the carton, thereby to complete the packaging operation.

Referring now in more detail to the packaging machine 20 of the invention, the machine frame 22 will be seen to comprise an upper infeed platform 44 across which the anchor strips A delivered to the stacking station 26 by the infeed mechanism 32 are fed laterally, in side by side relation, to a stacking position on the stacking platform 36. Infeed platform 44 comprises a front plate 46 which extends across the front side of the stacking station and into the nailing machine 30. This plate is horizontally disposed and provides a supporting surface along which the anchor strips A slide during endwise movement of the strips from the nailing machine to the packaging machine. Infeed mechanism 32 comprises a reciprocating slide rod 48 which is slidably supported in bearings (not shown) and is driven in axial reciprocation by means (not shown) within the nailing machine. Fixed to the rod 48 is a feed arm 50 which is engageable with the end of each anchor strip A for feeding the latter endwise along the plate 46 to a limiting position against a stop 52 at the stacking station 26. Extending rearwardly from the front plate 46 are a number of horizontal frame members 54. The upper surfaces of these frame members are substantially flush with the upper surface of the front plate 46, as may be best observed in FIGURE 3. The rear ends of the frame members 54 are supported on the front wall 56 of a well 58 which extends along the rear side of the infeed platform 44. The rear side of well 58 is closed by a wall 60 which extends a distance above the upper surface of the infeed platform 44, as shown. Well 58 has a lower wall 62 with a slot 64 therein extending lengthwise of the well. As may be best observed in FIGURE 2, the well 58 has an end opening 66 to the packaging station 28. This opening is bounded by outturned flanges 68 on the machine frame 22. The upper side of the well 58 will be observed to be open.

Stacking plateform 36 is disposed within the well 58.

frame 22 for vertical movement in the well 58 between the upper, extended position of the platform illustrated in FIGURE 3 and the lower, retracted position of the platform illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 8. In the extended position of the platform, its upper surface is located a small distance below the upper side of the infeed platform 44, which upper platform side is defined by the coplanar upper surfaces of the front platform plate 46 and the frame members 54. In its retracted position, the stacking platform 36 is located adjacent the bottom of the well 58. As may be best observed in FIGURE 7, platform supporting means 70 comprises a first pair of parallel links 72 pivotally connected at one end to the underside of the stacking platform 36 and at their opposite ends to the ends, respectively, of a horizontal bar 74. A second pair of parallel links 76 are pivotally connected at one end to the ends, respectively, of the horizontal bar 74 and at their opposite ends to fixed brackets 78 on the machine frame 22. Links 72 extend through the slots 64 in the bottom wall 62 of the well 58.

It is evident at this point, therefore, that the platform supporting means 70 comprises a parallel link mechanism which is effective to movably support the stacking platform 36 on the machine frame 22 for vertical translation within the well 58 between its extended and retracted position, described above. Connected between the horizonal bar 74 of the supporting means 70 and the machine frame 22 is a spring 80 which yieldably urges the stacking platform 36 to its extended position of FIGURE 3. As will appear presently, during operation of the present packaging machine 20, the stacking platform 36 is intermittently driven downwardly in the well 58 during the anchor strip stacking operation of the machine and, at the conclusion of this operation, is related for return by spring action to its extend position. A dash pot 82 is operatively connected between the horizontal rod 74 and the machine frame 22 for limiting the rate of this return movement of the platform.

Stacking mechanism 34 comprises a first intermittently operable means 84 which receives the successive, longitudinally advancing anchor strips A from the infeed mechanism 32 and successively advances the strips laterally across the infeed platform 44 toward the stacking platform 36. Means 84 includes a reciprocating feed bar 86 slidable on and extending lengthwise of the front platform plate 46. Attached at one end to the ends, respectively, of the feed bar 86 are cables 88. These cables are trained about rollers 90 rotatably mounted on the front edge of the platform plate 46. Attached to the opposite ends of the cables 88 are weights 92 for urging the feed bar 86 forwardly across the platform plate 46, i.e., to the right in FIGURE 3. Pivotally attached to the front edge of the platform plate 46 at positions spaced therealong are bell cranks 94. These bell cranks have forwardly extending arms pivotally connected by a link 96. The opposite ends of the bell crank arms mount rollers 98 which bear against the front side of the feed bar 86. At this point, therefore, it is evident that the link 96 operatively connects the bell cranks 94 for oscillation thereof in unison. Rotation of these bell cranks in one direction is effective to drive or extend the feed bar 86 laterally from its normal retracted position of FIGURES 2 and 3 toward the rear stacking platform 36. This extension of the feed bar occurs against the action of the weights 92. Rotation of the bell cranks in the opposite direction releases the feed bar 86 for lateral return movement to its normal retracted position under the action of the weights 92.

Pivotally connected at one end to the center of the link 96 is a second link 100. The opposite end of link 100 is pivotally connected to one arm of a bell crank 102 pivoted on the machine frame 22. The other arm of the bell crank 102 is pivotally attached, via a link 104, to a lever 106. Lever 106 is pivotally connected at 108 to the machine frame 22. Rocking motion of the lever is thus effective to laterally reciprocate the anchor strip feed bar 86 between its extended and retracted positions. A spring 110 connected between the machine frame and the lever urges the latter to its phantom line position of FIGURE 2, wherein the feed bar 86 is extended.

As explained more fully in the aforementioned co-pending application Ser. No. 464,256, the anchor strip nailing machine 30 comprises a crank shaft 112 which is driven in rotation in timed relation with axial reciprocation of the anchor strip infeed rod 48. Crank shaft 112 has a crank arm 114. The outer end of the crank arm 114 is pivotally connected to one end of a connecting arm 116. The opposite end of this arm mounts a roller 118 which moves in a vertical slot 120 in the machine frame. During rotation of the crank shaft 112, the roller 118 moves up and down in the slot 120, thereby constraining the lower end of the connecting arm 116 to undergo vertical reciprocating motion. This vertical reciprocation of the connecting ar-m 116 obviously occurs in timed relation to axial reciprocation of the anchor strip infeed rod 32.

One end of the anchor strip feed bar reciprocating lever 106 is disposed in the path of vertical movement of the lower end of the connecting arm 116. Accordingly, vertical reciprocation of the connecting arm imparts a rocking motion to the lever 106, thereby laterally reciprocating the anchor strip feed bar 86, as described above. This lateral reciprocation of the feed bar 86 and axial reciprocation of the infeed rod 48 are so timed that the feed bar remains in its retracted position of FIGURES 2 and 3 while each anchor strip A is being advanced, by the infeed rod, from the anchor strip nailing machine 30 to the stacking station 26 of the present packaging machine 20. Immediately thereafter, the feed bar 86 is laterally extended toward the stacking platform 36 to laterally feed the adjacent anchor strip a given distance rearwardly across the infeed platform 44. The feed bar 86 then retracts to receive the next anchor strip and the cycle is repeated. Thus, the infeed mechanism 32 conveys the anchor strips A in succession from the anchor strip nailing machine 30 to the stacking station 26 of the present packaging machine 20. The feed means 84 of the anchor strip stacking mechanism 34 then drives the incoming anchor strips laterally in succession and rearwardly across the infeed platform 44 toward the rear stacking platform 36. The anchor strips, therefore, travel laterally side by side across the infeed platform.

Along the rear edge of the front plate 46 of the infeed platform is an upstanding detent 122 mounted on an arm which is pivoted at 124 on the packaging machine frame 22. Pivotally secured at its upper end to the under side of the detent arm is a link 126. The lower end of link 126 is pivot-ally attached to the outer end of an arm 128 rigid on a rock shaft 130. Rock shaft 130 is pivotally supported by bearings (not shown) on the frame 22. Fixed on one end of the rock shaft 130 is an arm 132. The outer end of arm 132 is pivotally connected, by a link 134, to one end of the lever 106. Rocking of the love? 106, therefore, is effective to vertically reciprocate the detent 122 between its upper extended position of FIGURE 2, wherein the detent projects above the upper surface of the front plate 46, and the lower retracted position, wherein the detent is flush with or slightly below the upper surface of the latter plate. This vertical reciprocation of the detent 122 occurs in unison with lateral reciprocation of the anchor strip feed bar 86 and is so timed with respect to movement of the bar that the detent is retracted when the feed bar is later-ally extended toward the rear stacking platform 36. The detent is then re-extended upon subsequent return of the feed bar to its retracted position. The detent, when extended, serves to locate each incoming anchor strip against the feed bar 86 and is retracted, as explained, to permit lateral movement of the anchor strip across the infeed platform 44 by operation of the laterally reciprocating feed bar 86.

Located at opposite ends of the anchor strip feed bar 86 are a pair of anchor strip hold downs 136. These hold downs retain the anchor strips A in proper contact with the infeed platform 44 while the strips are being advanced rearwardly across the platform by the feed bar 86. Each hold down 136 comprises an upright shaft 138, rigid on the upper end of which is a horizontal hold down arm 140. The shaft 138 of each anchor strip hold down 136 is slidably supported in a bracket fixed to the front infeed platform plate 46, as shown. The hold down arms 140 extend rearwardly across the front plate 46, as shown.

Rigid on the rock shaft 130 in line with each anchor strip hold down 136 is an arm 142. The outer end of each arm 142 is apertured to loosely receive the adjacent hold down shaft 138 and seats against one end of a compression spring 144 on the latter shaft. The opposite end of each spring 144 seats against a shoulder on the lower end of its respective hold down shaft. It is now evident, therefore, that anchor strip hold downs 136 are yieldably driven downwardly to resiliently engage the hold down arms 140 with the ends of the underlying anchor strips A located at the forward side of the infeed platform 44 simultaneously with retraction of the detent 122.

At this point, it is obvious that continued unified operation of the infeed mechanism 32 and the anchor strip feed mechanism 84 of the anchor strip stacking mechanism 34 eventually fills the entire upper surface of the infeed platform 44 with anchor strips A which travel rearwardly across the platform in side by side relation with an intermittent, lateral motion. The anchor strip hold downs 136 resiliently retain the anchor strips adjacent the front side of the infeed platform in fiat contact with the latter platform to prevent these strips from buckling during rearward extension of the reciprocating anchor strip feed bar 86. When the infeed platform 44 is filled to capacity, the leading group G of anchor strips, that is the group of anchor strips at the rear of the infeed platform, overlies the stacking platform 36. In the drawings, the leading anchor strip group G is shown to contain five anchor strips.

The anchor strips of the leading group G are initially supported on retractable anchor strip supports 146. These anchor strip supports comprise upper strip supporting bars 148 and lower racks 150 rigidly secured to the underside of the front ends of the supporting bars, respectively. Anchor strip supports 146 are disposed with the upper surfaces of the strip supporting bars 148 flush with the upper surfaces of the infeed platform frame members 54. The anchor strip supports are slidably mounted on certain of the frame members 54 for endwise movement of the supports in the lengthwise direction of the frame members between the rearward extended positions of the supports, shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, and forward retracted positions. In the extended positions of the anchor strip supports 146, the strip supporting bars 148 extend over the stacking platform 36 to support the anchor strips A of the leading or rear anchor strip group G When retracted, the anchor strip supports 146 are located in forward positions wherein the bars 148 of the supports clear the stacking platform 36, thereby permitting the overlying group G of anchor strips to drop onto the latter platform.

As will appear presently, the anchor strip supports 146 are normally extended to their positions of FIG- URES 2 and 3. Accordingly, the laterally advancing anchor strips A currently traveling, in intermittent fashion, rearwardly across the infeed platform 44 slide first along the frame members 54 and then along the supporting bars 148 of the extended anchor strip supports 146. Eventually, the laterally advancing anchor strips reach a position wherein the leading or rearwardmost anchor strip A of the leading or rear anchor strip group G is located adjacent the upper projecting edge portion of the rear wall 60 of the well 58. Mounted on this wall are three switches 152. Switches 152 are disposed for actuation by the leading anchor strip A upon arrival of the anchor strip group G at a given stacking position over the stacking platform 36.

Actuation of the switches 152 by the leading anchor strip A effects retraction of the anchor strip supports 146' and simultaneous extension of a second intermittently operable feed means 154 included in the anchor strip stacking mechanism 34. Anchor strip feed means 154 comprises a pair of oscillatory gripping arms 156 located along opposite sides of the infeed platform 44. Each gripping arm 156 has a rigid, transverse shaft 158 at one end which is rotatably fitted in a sleeve 160. Each sleeve 160 is rotatably supported in and axially restrained by a bearing 162 on the machine frame 22. Each gripping arm shaft 158 and its supporting sleeve 160 are interconnected by a radial pin 164 press fitted in the shaft and projecting radially through a helical slot 166 in the sleeve. The two gripping arms 156 have a common axis of rotation extending cross-wise of the infeed platform 44 and are mirror images of one another. From this description, it is evident that rotation of the gripping arm supporting sleeves 160 in the counterclockwise direction in FIGURE 3 tends to axially extend the gripping arms 156 inwardly toward the adjacent ends of the intervening anchor strips A on the infeed platform 44. Rotation of the sleeve 160 in the opposite direction tends to axially retract the gripping arms outwardly away from the intervening anchor strips. In FIGURE 11, the solid lines illustrate one of the gripping arms 156 retracted both axially and rotatably. The phantom lines in this figure illustrate the gripping arm extended both axially and rotatably.

Mounted on the machine frame 22 adjacent one of the gripping arms 156 is a spring latch 168. This latch comprises a pivoted latch clog 170 having an upper beveled camming surface 172. A spring 174 acts between the latch housing and the latch dog 170 to resiliently urge the latter to its extended position of FIGURES 6 and 11. In this extended position, the latch dog is disposed for latching engagement over the adjacent gripping arm 156 when this arm occupies its solid line retracted position of the latter figures.

Assume now that the gripping arms 156 are latched in their retracted position, as just described. Under these conditions, the latch means 168 constrain the gripping arms 156 against rotation with their supporting sleeves 160. Accordingly, rotation of these supporting sleeves in the counterclockwise direction in FIGURE 3 axially extends the gripping arms inwardly toward and into final gripping engagement with the adjacent ends of the intervening anchor strips A on the infeed platform 44. According to the preferred practice of the invention, the gripping arms are equipped with inner foam rubber pads 176 to enable the arms to grip the ends of the anchor strips A when the arms are thus axially extended. Eventually, the axial extension of the gripping arms 156 become sufficient to release the arms from latching engagement with the latch means 168. The gripping arms are thereby released for counterclockwise rotation with the gripping arm supporting sleeves 160. As will be explained presently, during this counterclockwise rotation of the gripping arms, the latter pick up the group G of intervening anchor strips A gripped by the arms and place these anchor strips in inverted position on top of the first group G of anchor strips currently on the stacking platform 36. The gripping arms are then returned to their retracted positions. During this return of the gripping arms, the latter are axially retracted. Just prior to arrival of the gripping arm 156 shown in FIGURE 11 at its solid line retracted position of that figure, this gripping arm engages the upper camming surface 172 of the gripping arm latch dog and retracts the dog against the action of its spring 174, thereby permitting movement of the gripping arm to its fully retracted position. The spring 174 then returns the latch dog 172 to its latching position of FIGURES 6 and 11.

Keyed on the outer ends of the gripping arm supporting sleeves 160 are sprockets 178. Trained about sprockets 178 and additional sprockets 180 fixed on the ends of a shaft 182 are sprocket chains 184. Shaft 182 extends across the under side of the infeed platform 44 below and parallel to the common axis of rotation of the gripping arms 156. Shaft 182 is rotatably supported on the machine frame 22 by means of bearings (not shown). Operatively connected between the shaft 182 and the frame 22 is a spring 186 which urges the shaft in the clockwise direction of rotation, as the machine is viewed in FIG- URE 3. Shaft 182 is driven in the opposite direction of rotation by a motor 188. This motor is drivably coupled to the shaft by a clutch 190.

During operation of the present packaging machine 20, the motor is continuously energized to rotate the shaft 182 in the counter-clockwise direction in FIGURE 3. The shaft remains stationary, however, until the clutch is engaged. Engagement of this clutch couple's the shaft 182 to the rotating shaft of the motor 188 and thereby effects rotation of the gripping arms 156 in unison from their solid line retracted positions of FIG- URE 3 to their phantom line extended positions of the latter figure. This rotation of the shaft 182 winds up the spring 186. Accordingly, disengagement of the clutch 190 conditions the gripping arms 156 for return to their retracted positions in unison under the action of the spring 186.

Rotation of the shaft 182 also serves to extend and retract the anchor strip supports 14-6. To this end, there is rotatably mounted on the machine frame 22, above and parallel to the shaft 182, a shaft 192. Shafts 182 and 192 are drivably coupled by a sprocket chain 194. Keyed on the shaft 192, directly below each anchor strip support 146, is a pinion 196. Meshing with each pinion 196 and the rack 150 of the adjacent anchor strip support 146 is an idler gear 198. At this point, therefore, it is evident that rotation of the shaft 182 in the counterclockwise direction in FIGURE 3 rotates the gripping arms 156 from their retracted positions to their extended positions and simultaneously retracts the anchor strip supports 146 forwardly to clear the stacking platform 36. Rotation of the shaft 182 in the opposite direction rotates the gripping arms 156 from their extended positions to their retracted positions and simultaneously extends the anchor strip supports 146 back across the top of the stacking platform 36.

The three switches 152 at the rear of the infeed platform 44 are electrically connected to the motor clutch 190 in such a way that closure of all three switches in unison engages the clutch. Thus, simultaneous closure of all three switches 152 by the leading anchor strip A effects rotation of the gripping arms 156 to their extended positions and simultaneous retraction of the anchor strip supports 146. Subsequent opening of the switches effects disengagement of the clutch 190 to condition the gripping arms for return to their retracted positions and the anchor strip hold downs for return to their extended positions by the action of the spring 186. Actual return of the gripping arms 156 to their retracted positions and return of the anchor strip supports 146 to their extended positions, however, is controlled by spring latches 199 mounted on the anchor strip supports 146. When these supports arrive in their retracted positions, the latches 199 snap upwardly through frame member 22a which extends along the rear side of the infeed platform 44, thereby to latch the anchor strip supports in their retracted positions and the gripping arms 156 in their extended positions. The manner in which the latches 199 are released will be explained presently. Suffice it to say at this point that release of these latches releases the anchor strip supports 146 for return to their extended positions and, thereby releases the gripping arms 156 for return to their retracted position, under the action of the spring 186.

Extending across the top of the infeed platform 44, just to the rear of the anchor strip hold down arms 140, is a shaft 200. This shaft is rotatably supported in bearings (not shown) on the machine frame 22 and is frictionally restrained against rotation, as by having a light friction fit in the bearings. Fixed to the ends and the center of the shaft 200 are three anchor strip hold down arms 202. Hold down arms 202 are rotatable between their solid line extended positions of FIGURE 3, wherein the arms are disposed to engage the underlying anchor strips A on the infeed platform 44 for holding the strips flat against the platform, and their phantom line retracted positions of the latter figure. The frictional restraint on the shaft 200 releasably retains the hold down arms 202 in their phantom line retracted positions.

On one end of the shaft 200 is a transverse hold down actuating arm 204. Arm 204 terminates at its outer end in an abutment 206 bounded along one side by a formation 207 defining a slot 208. Slot 208 opens through the outer end of the arm 204. Fixed to the outer end of the adjacent anchor strip gripping arm 156 is a gripping arm extension 210 having a transverse end 212. As will appear presently, the gripping arms 156 are axially retracted during rotation of these arms to their retracted positions of oscillation. Under these conditions, the outer end of the gripping arm extension 210 is disposed for engagement with the abutment 206 on the hold down actuating arm 204 during rotation of the gripping arms to their retracted positions of oscillation. This engagement effects rotation of the anchor strip hold downs 202 from their phantom line retracted positions to their full line extended positions of FIGURE 3. During subsequent rotation of the gripping arms 156 to their extended positions of oscillation, these arms are first axially extended while still in their retracted positions of oscillation. This axial extension of the gripping arm 156 adjacent the hold down actuating arm 204 extends the transverse end 212 on the gripping arm extension 210 into the slot 208 in the actuating arm. Under these conditions, subsequent rotation of the gripping arms to their extended positions of oscillation rotates the hold down arms 202 upwardly to their retracted positions. It is evident at this point, therefore, that rotation of the gripping arms 156 to their retracted positions of oscillation rotates the anchor strip hold down arms 202 to their extended positions of engagement with the anchor strips A on the infeed platform 44 for holding the anchor strips flat against the platform. Rotation of the gripping arms to their extended positions of oscillation elevates the hold down arms 202 to their retracted positions. Friction then retains the hold down arms in these retracted positions until the gripping arms are returned to their retracted positions of oscillation.

Briefly, in operation of the packaging machine 20, as it is thus far described, anchor strips A are successively fed, in the endwise direction, from the anchor strip nailing machine 30 to the front side of the infeed platform 44 of the packaging machine 20 to a position against the limit stop 52. The feed means 84 of the anchor strip stacking mechanism 26 feeds the incoming anchor strips laterally in side by side succession across the infeed platform 44 toward the rear stacking platform 36. At this point, attention is directed to the fact that each anchor strip is delivered to the present packaging machine 20 and travels laterally across the infee'd platform 44 in an upright position, wherein the carpet tacks T and the anchor strip nails N project upwardly from the strip. The anchor strip supports 146 are currently extended and the anchor strip gripping arms 156 are currently retracted. Accordingly, the anchor strips in the leading anchor strip group G eventually slide re'arwardly along the extended anchor strip support arms 148 to a position wherein these anchor strips are located directly over the stacking platform 36, as illustrated in FIGURE 2. At this time, the leading anchor strip A in the group G actuates the switches 152 to engage the clutch 190 for the gripping arm drive motor 188. It will be recalled that this motor is continuously energized during operation of the machine. Accordingly, engagement of the clutch 190 drivably couples the gripping arm drive sleeves to the motor 188 for rotation of these sleeves in a counter-clockwise direction, as the machine is viewed in FIGURE 3. The gripping arm 156 adjacent the gripping arm latch means 168 is latched in its retracted position at this time. Accordingly, the gripping arms do not immediately rotate in the counter-clockwise direction with their drive sleeves 160. The resultant relative rotation between the drive sleeves 160 and the gripping arm shafts 158 produces a camming action on the shaft pins 164 which drives the gripping arms 156 axially inward toward and into final gripping engagement with the adjacent ends of the intervening anchor strips A. In FIGURE 11, it will be observed that the gripping arms 156 are longitudinally dimensioned to simultaneously grip five anchor strips. Inward axial movement of the gripping arms 156 shifts the gripping arm shown in FIGURE 11 to a position wherein the upward thrust exerted by the gripping arm against the gripping arm latch dog overcomes the latch spring 174 and thereby rotates the dog out of latching engagement with the gripping arm. This releases the gripping arms 156 for counter-clockwise rotation to their phantom line extended positions of FIGURE 3 and releases the anchor strip supports 146 for simultaneous movement to their forward retracted positions. In its extended position, the left hand gripping arm 156 in FIGURE 2 actuates a switch 214 mounted on the upper edge portion of the rear wall 60 of the well 58. Actuation of this switch effects disengagement of the clutch for the gripping arm drive motor 188, thereby terminating driving of the gripping arms by the motor.

It will be recalled that shaft 182 is driven by the motor 188 concurrently with driving of the gripping arm drive sleeves 160 and in a direction to wind up the spring 186. Accordingly, when the anchor strip supports 146 are retracted and the gripping arms 156 are extended, as they are when the switch 214 is actauted to disengage the clutch 190, the spring 186 exerts a torque on the shaft 182 in a direction to return the anchor strip supports to their extended positions and the gripping arms to their retracted positions. It will be further recalled, however, that retraction of the anchor strip supports 146 engages the latches 199 on these supports with the rear cross member 22a on the infeed platform 44, thereby latching the supports in the retracted positions and the gripping arms in their extended positions. Accordingly, the anchor strip supports 146 and the gripping arms 156 remain in these latter positions when the clutch 188 is disengaged by actuation of the switch 214 in the manner explained above.

Retraction of the anchor strip supports 146 withdraws the anchor strip supporting bars 148 from below the five anchor strips in the leading anchor strip group G These strips are then released to drop into stacking positions on the underlying stacking platform 36, wherein the strips are disposed in side by side relation on the latter platform. This provides, on the platform, a first upright layer of anchor strips disposed with their normally upper side facing upwardly away from the stacking platform and with their carpet tacks T and nails N projecting upwardly.

During extension of the gripping arms 156, the latter grip the five anchor strips in intervening anchor strip group G and rotate these latter strips to inverted positions over the first upright layer of anchor strips currently on the stacking platform 36. In these inverted positions, the anchor strips of group G are disposed with their normally upper sides facing downwardly toward the stacking platform 36 and with their carpet tacks T and nails N projecting downwardly toward the underlying upright anchor strip layer on the platform.

Mounted on the machine frame 22 over the stacking platform 36 is a platform positioning means 216. As will now be explained, this positioning means is rendered operative in response to rotation of the anchor strip gripping arms 156 to their extended positions. During its operation, the positioning means drives the five inverted anchor strips gripped between the currently extended anchor strip gripping arms 156 downwardly into stacking positions on top of the underlying upright layer of anchor strips now supported on the stacking platform 36. In these latter stacking positions, the anchor strips of the second group G rest on the heads of the nails N of the anchor strips in the first upright anchor strip layer to provide on the stacking platform a second inverted layer of anchor strips. In this connection, attention is directed to the fact that the placement of the tacks T and nails N on the anchor strips A is such that the nails and tacks on the adjacent strips in the upright and inverted anchor strip layers on a stacking platform 36 do not interfere with one another when the anchor strips are stacked in the manner explained above. During its operation, the platform positioning means 216 also partially retracts the stacking platform 36 a distance into the well 58 to a position wherein the upper surfaces of the anchor strips in the upper, inverted anchor strip layer currently on the stacking platform are located just slightly below the under surfaces of the anchor strip supporting bars 148. A final function of the positioning means is to release the anchor strip supports 146 for return to their extended positions and the anchor strip gripping arms 156 for return to their retracted positions under the action of the currently tensioned spring 186.

To the above ends, the stacking platform positioning means 216 comprises a ram 218 above the stacking platform for retracting the latter into the well 58 and ratchet means 220 below the stacking platform for latching the latter in its partially retracted position. Ram 218 has a vertical hydraulic cylinder 222 mounted on the machine frame 22. Movable in this cylinder is a piston, the rod 224 of which extends below the lower end of the cylinder. The lower end of this piston rod is attached to a rectangu lar frame 226 which is disposed over and parallel to the stacking platform 36. Frame 226 is supported on the machine frame 22, for vertical reciprocating motion toward and away from the stacking platform, by means of vertical slide bearings 223 and an articulated, parallel link mechanism 230. Frame 226 comprises perimetrical frame members 232 and 234 which are rigidly joined to one another at the corners of the frame, as shown. Extending between and rotatably supported on the longitudinal frame members 232 are rollers 236. In FIGURE 3, rollers 236 will be observed to extend parallel to the stacking platform 36 and to project radially a distance below the ram frame 226. Opening through the lower edge of the front frame member 232 of the ram frame 226 are notches 238. These notches are vertically aligned with the anchor strip supports 146, respectively.

The ram cylinder 222 is connected to a hydraulic system including valve means which are controlled by the switch 214 and a second switch 240 mounted on the infeed platform 44. Actuation of the switch 214 by the left hand anchor strip gripping arm 156 in FIGURE 2, in response to rotation of this arm to its phantom line extended position of FIGURE 3, effects delivery of hydraulic fiuid under pressure to the upper end of the ram cylinder 222. It will be recalled that this actuation of the switch 214 also disengages the clutch for the gripping arm drive motor 188, thereby leaving the gripping arms 156 stationary in their extended positions of FIGURE 3, wherein they support the group G of inverted anchor strips over the first upright layer of anchor strips on the stacking platform 36. Pressurizing of the upper end of the ram cylinder 222 drives the ram frame 226 downwardly from its upper retracted position of FIGURES 2 and 3. During this downward extension of the ram frame, the frame rollers 236 initially engage the underlying, inverted anchor strips gripped between the currently extended anchor strip gripping arms 156 and drive these latter strips downwardly into their stacking positions on top of the first upright layer of anchor strips on the stacking platform 36. Continued downward extension of the ram frame 226 to its lower, fully extended position drives the stacking platform 36, and the two layers of stacked anchor strips thereon, downwardly into the well 58 to the partially retracted position referred to earlier, wherein the upper surfaces of the anchor strips in the inverted upper anchor strip layer are located just below the under surfaces of the anchor strip supporting bars 148. The ram frame then remains stationary in its extended position until the upper end of the ram cylinder 222 is vented in the manner explained below.

As the ram frame 226 enters its lower extended position, the front, notched member 232 of the frame engages the spring latches 199 which currently latch the anchor strip supports 146 in the retracted positions and the anchor strip gripping arms 156 in their extended positions. Thereafter, during continued downward movement of the ram frame to its lower, fully extended position, the frame retracts the latches 199 downwardly out of latching engagement with the rear frame member 22a of the infeed platform 44. The anchor strip supports 146 are thereby released for return to their extended positions and the anchor strip gripping arms 156 are released for return to their retracted positions under the action of the spring 186. The notches 238 in the ram frame 226 provide clearance for this return of the anchor strip supports 146 to their extended positions while the frame occupies its lower extended position.

The ram control switch 240 is disposed for actuation by the left hand anchor strip gripping arm 156 in FIGURE 2 upon return of the latter arm to its retracted position, as illustrated in FIGURE 6. Actuation of the switch 240 vents the upper end of the ram cylinder 222, thereby releasing the ram frame 226 for return to its upper limiting position of FIGURES 2 and 3 under the action of a spring (not shown) within the cylinder. The ratchet means 220 of the platform positioning means 216 retains the stacking platform 36 in its partially retracted position, as described below. During return of the gripping arms 156 to their retracted positions, the drive sleeves 160 for these arms are rotated relative to the gripping arm shafts 158 in adirection to axially retract the gripping arms outwardly, as ex plained earlier. Upon arrival at their retracted positions, the gripping arms are again latched in these positions by the gripping arm latch means 168. During return of the anchor strip supports 146 to their extended positions, the anchor strip supporting bars 148 extend across the top of the upper, inverted layer of anchor strips currently supported on the stacking platform 36.

As will appear from the ensuing description, the reciprocating anchor strip feed means 84, oscillating anchor strip feed means 154, and reciprocating platform positioning means 216, which together comprise the anchor strip stacking mechanism 34, continue to undergo intermittent operation in timed relation to produce on the stacking platform 36 an anchor strip stack B composed of alternate upright and inverted layers of anchor strips. The positioning means 216 partially retracts the stacking platform, and the anchor strips stacked thereon, a greater distance downwardly into the well 58 following the placement, by the oscillating anchor strip feed means 154, of each inverted layer of anchor strips on the platform. The stacking platform 36 is retained in each successive, partially retracted position by the platform ratchet means 220.

Ratchet means 220 comprises a vertical ratchet bar 242 secured to and depending below the stacking platform 36. Fixed to the machine frame 22 adjacent the serrated side of the ratchet bar is a support 244 pivotally mounting a ratchet pawl 246. Pawl 246 is fixed to a shaft 248 which is slidable and rotatable in the pawl support 244. A spring 250 is connected between the support 244 and the shaft 248 in such manner as to rotatably urge the ratchet pawl 246 into ratchet engagement with a vertical row of ratchet teeth 252 on the ratchet bar 242 and to axially urge the pawl toward the right hand edge of the ratchet bar, as the latter is viewed in FIGURE 9. Extending along the center of the ratchet bar is a vertical divider rib 254 which normally restrains the pawl 246 against axial movement from its ratcheting position of FIGURE 9, wherein the pawl is disposed opposite the ratchet teeth 252 on the ratchet bar. At the right hand side of the rib 254 in FIGURE 9, the ratchet bar 242 has a flat vertical surface 256. This surface continues, at its lower end, in a compound carnming surface 258. Camming surface 258 curves horizontally outward, normal to the plane of the paper in FIGURE 9, to a position flush with the outer vertical edge of the divider rib 254 and then horizontally to the left in FIGURE 9, parallel to the plane of the paper and toward the row of ratchet teeth 252 on the ratchet bar.

Each time the platform positioning ram 218 descends to partially retract the stacking platform 36 into the well 58, the ratchet bar 242 is driven downwardly a corresponding distance past the ratchet pawl 246. When the ram returns to its upper retracted position, the pawl engages the adjacent ratchet bar 252 to latch the stacking platform in its partially retracted position. The several successive partial retractions of the stacking platform which occur in the process of stacking the several layers of anchor strips in the completed anchor strip stack B eventually lower the stacking platform 36 to its fully retracted position of FIGURES 8 and 9. As will appear presently, the pawl 246 is subsequently pulled back to clear the rib 254, thereby permitting axial movement of the pawl, under the action of its spring 250, from its solid line position through its phantom line position of FIG- URE 9. In this phantom line position, the pawl is located at the right hand side of the rib 254 in line with the fiat vertical surface 256 on the ratchet bar 242 and is thereby rendered ineffective to restrain the stacking platform 36 against upward return to its extended position of FIGURE 3. It will be recalled that the platform is urged 14 to this extended position by the platform spring in FIGURE 7.

Just prior to arrival at its lower stacking position of FIGURE 8, the stacking platform 36 actuates a switch 260 mounted on the ratchet pawl support 244. Actuation of this switch initiates operation of the outfeed conveyor means 38 for feeding the completed stack B of anchor strips from the retracted stacking platform to the packaging station 28 of the present packaging machine. As will appear from the following description of this outfeed conveyor means, the latter retains the stacking platform 36 in its lower retracted position for an interval of time following axial disengagement of the ratchet pawl 246 from the ratchet teeth 252 on the ratchet bar 242.

Outfeed conveyor means 38 comprises a ram 262 which is supported on the machine frame 22 for movement in the endwise direction through the well 58. Ram 262 includes a rack 264, to one end of which is rigidly attached a conveyor plate 266. Mounted on the machine frame 22 at the end of the well 58 remote from the packaging station 28, is a motor 268. Motor 268 drives a pinion 270 through reduction gearing 272. Pinion 270 meshes with the rack 264. Accordingly, motor 268, when energized in one direction, drives the ram 262 from its retracted position of FIGURE 7 through the well 58 toward the packaging station 28. Motor 268 when energized in the opposite direction returns the ram to its retracted position.

Pivotally mounted on the ratchet pawl support 244 in the path of movement of the conveyor ram 262 is a latch 274. This latch is rotatable between its solid line retracted position and its phantom line latching position illustrated in FIGURE 8. A spring 276 is connected between the machine frame 22 and the latch for urging the latter to its latching position. The lower end of the latch is connected, by a chain 278, to the ratchet pawl 246 in such manner that rotation of the latch in its latching position pivots the pawl in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in FIGURE 8, to a retracted position. In this retracted position, the pawl clears the center divider 254 on the ratchet bar 242 and is thereby released for axial movement to its phantom line, non-ratcheting position of FIG- URE 9 under the action of the pawl spring 250. The pawl spring 250 opposes and normally over-rides the latch spring 276 to retain the latch 274 in its retracted position. During operation of the packaging machine, when the stacking platform 36 actuates the switch 260, the outfeed conveyor ram 262 is extended to the left from its solid line retracted position in FIGURE 8 by operation of the outfeed conveyor motor 268. During this left hand extension of the ram, the forward ram plate 266 engages the upper projecting end of the latch 274 and rotates the latch to its phantom line latching position. In this position, the latch 274 engages over a latching shoulder 280 on the stacking platform 36, thereby latching the platform in its lower retracted position of FIGURE 8. As noted above, rotation of the latch 274 to its latching position retracts the ratchet pawl 246 to a position wherein the pawl is urged axially, by the pawl spring 250, to its phantom line disengaged position of FIGURE 9. In this disengaged position, the pawl releases the stacking platform 36 for return of the latter to its upper extended position under the action of the platform spring 80. Latch 274 is so constructed that the friction between the latch and the stacking platform 36, resulting from the upward thrust of the spring 80 on the stacking platform occasioned by disengagement of the ratchet pawl 246, retains the latch in its latching position during extension of the outfeed conveyor ram 262 across the platform to eject the anchor strip stack B therefrom. During subsequent return of the ram 262 to its solid line retracted position of FIGURE 8, the ram plate 266 again engages the upper end of the latch 274 and returns the latter to its solid line retracted position, thereby releasing the stacking platform 36 for return to its upper extended position.

During this upward return of the stacking platform 36, the ratchet bar 242 moves upwardly relative to the ratchet pawl 246. In this connection, it will be recalled that the ratchet pawl is currently located at the right hand side of the center rib 254 on the ratchet bar 242, as the latter is viewed in FIGURE 9, in line with the fiat vertical surface 256 on this bar. Accordingly, the ratchet pawl does not impede upward return movement of the stacking platform to its extended position. As the stacking platform approaches its upper extended position, the lower compound cam surface 258 on the ratchet bar 242 engages the ratchet pawl 246 and cams the latter upwardly and to the left over the center rib 254 on the ratchet bar, against the action of the pawl spring 250. This spring then rotatably urges the pawl against the serrated, left hand side of the ratchet bar to condition the ratchet means 220 for the next operating cycle of the packaging machine 20.

As noted above, the outfeed conveyor ram 262 is extended through the well 58 to eject the completed anchor strip stack B from the stacking platform 36 to the packaging station 28. The ram is then returned to its retracted position. This return of the ram is effected by actuation of a reversing switch 282 for the outfeed conveyor motor 268. Switch 282 includes a switch arm 282a disposed in the path of a spring loaded detent 284 and the fixed projection 286 on the outfeed conveyor rack 264. When the outfeed conveyor ram 262 occupies its retracted position, the rack projection 286 locates the switch arm 282a in its solid line position of FIGURE 13. In this position, the reversing switch 282 conditions the conveyor motor 268 for extending the conveyor ram 262 in response to closing of the motor switch 260 by the retracted stacking platform 36. During extension of the ram to eject the completed anchor strip stack B from the platform, the spring detent 284 engages the switch arm 282a and shifts the latter to its phantom line position of FIGURE 13 in response to arrival of the ram at its extended position. This actuation of the switch reverses the conveyor motor 268 to return the ram to its retracted position. When the conveyor ram arrives at its retracted position, the conveyor rack extension 286 re-engages the switch arm 262a and returns the latter to its solid line position to again condition the conveyor motor 268 for extending the ram during the next operating cycle of the machine. As noted above, the conveyor ram 262, when approaching its retracted position, retracts the latch 274 to release the stacking platform 36 for return to its extended position. Accordingly, when the switch arm 282a is returned to its solid line position of FIGURE 13 by the retracting ram, the stacking platform will have moved upwardly a distance sufficient to release the motor switch 260, thereby de-energizing the conveyor motor 268. The conveyor ram, therefore, remains in its retracted position in readiness for the next outfeed cycle of the outfeed conveyor 38.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, it will be observed that the packaging station 28 comprises a packaging platform 288 on the machine frame 22. Mounted on this platform are a pair of angles 290 which define therebetween a channel 292 for receiving the anchor strip packaging carton C. This channel is longitudinally aligned with and disposed opposite the open end 66 of the stacking well 58. Pivoted on the packaging platform 288 at the end of the channel 292 remote from the well 58 is a vertically swingable pressure plate 294. This pressure plate is operatively connected to a foot pedal 296 pivotally mounted on the machine frame 22 below the platform 288 in such manner that foot pressure on the pedal swings the plate upwardly from its phantom line retracted position to its solid line extended position of FIGURE 1. In this extended position, the pressure plate 294 presses against the adjacent closed end of the carton C to hold the opposite open end of the carton firmly against the flanges 68 which surround the open end 66 of the stacking well 58. A spring 298 normally retains the pressure plate in its retracted position. At this point, therefore, it is evident that the channel 292 and pressure plate 294 position the carton C to receive a completed anchor strip stack B when the latter is ejected by the outfeed conveyor 38.

After the anchor strip stack is properly positioned in the carton C, the foot pedal 296 is released to permit the pressure plate 294 to retract and thereby release the carton for removal from the channel 292. The flaps at the open end of the carton are then folded to their closed positions and the carton ends are sealed by operation of the carton sealing means 42. These sealing means are shown to comprise a pair of electrically operated staplers 300 which are mounted on the packaging platform 288 in the position to receive a carton C endwise therebetween. These staplers are operated in response to placement of a carton between the staplers, as illustrated in phantom lines in FIGURE 1. Staplers 300 drive staples through the folded carton end flaps, thereby completing the packaging operation.

Referring now to FIGURE 14, it will be observed that the gripping arm drive motor 188 and the outfeed conveyor motor 268 are energized through a pair of power leads 302. Motor 188 is directly connected to these leads so as to be energized whenever the power leads are energized. Motor 268 is connected to the power leads to the switch 260 and the motor reversing switch 282. Switch 260 is a normally open switch which is closed by the stacking platform 36 upon movement of the latter to its lower, retracted position. Motor 268, therefore, is energized in response to closing of the switch 260 by the stacking platform and in a direction determined by the position of the reversing switch arm 282a. As noted above, when the outfeed conveyor ram 262 is retracted, the switch arm 282a occupies its solid line position of FIG- URE 14, wherein the motor 268 is conditioned to extend the ram 262 in response to actuation of the switch 260 by the downwardly retracting stacking platform 36. Extension of the ram to its fully extended position effects movement of the switch arm 282a to its phantom line position of FIGURE 14, thereby reversing the motor 268 to return the ram 262 to its retracted position. As the ram approaches this retracted position, the switch arm 282a is again returned to its solid line position of FIGURE 14 to again condition the motor 268 for extending the ram during the next operating cycle of the machine. At this time, however, the stacking platform 36 has risen out of engagement with the switch 260, thereby permitting the latter to reopen and de-energize the motor 268. Accordingly, the outfeed conveyor ram 262 remains in its retracted position until the switch 260 is again reclosed by the downwardly retracting stacking platform 36 during the following operating cycle.

The clutch for the gripping arm drive motor 188 is connected to a pair of power leads 304 through the three switches 152 which are actuated by the leading anchor strip A on the infeed platform 44 and through a set of normally closed contacts 214a of the switch 214 which is actuated by the gripping arms 156 upon rotation of the latter to their phantom line extended positions of FIG- URE 3. Switches 152 are normally open and connected in electrical series, as shown, whereby simultaneous closure of all three switches by the leading anchor strip A energizes the clutch 190 to effect rotation of the gripping arms 156 from the retracted positions to their extended positions. Actuation of the switch 214 by the gripping arms upon arrival of the latter at their extended positions opens the switch contacts 214a, thereby deenergizing the clutch 190. As noted earlier, the gripping arms are latched in their extended positions and thereby remain in these positions following de-energizing of the clutch 190.

The flow of hydraulic fluid to the upper end of the cylinder 222 of the stacking platform positioning ram 218 is controlled by a two-way solenoid valve 3.06. This valve has an inlet connected to a high pressure, hydraulic fluid supply line 308 and an outlet connected to a low pressure, hydraulic fluid return line 310, In its normal de-energized state, the valve 306 communicates the ram cylinder 222 to the return line 310. In this position of the valve, the frame 226 of the platform positioning ram occupies its upper retracted position. One terminal of the valve 306 is directly connected to one of the power leads 304. The other terminal of the valve is connected to the other power lead 304 through a set of normally open contacts 312a of relay 312. The coil of this relay is connected to the power lead 304 through a set of normally open contacts 214b of the switch 214 and the switch 240, which is normally closed. Relay 312 includes a set of normally open holding contacts 312b which are connected in parallel with the switch contacts 214b. Actuation of the switch 214 by the anchor strip gripping arms 156 in response to rotation of these arms to their extended positions closes the switch contacts 214b, thereby energizing the relay 312 to close its normally open contacts 312a and 312k. Closure of the holding contacts 312a locks the relay 312 in its energized state. Closure of the relay contacts 312a energizes the valve 306 to supply hydraulic fluid under pressure to the upper end of the ram cylinder 222. The ram frame 226 is thereby extended downwardly. As noted earlier, this downward extension of the ram 226 effects release of the currently retracted anchor strip supports 146 for return to their normal extended positions and simultaneous release of the currently extended anchor strip gripping arms 156 for return to their normal retracted positions. Switch 240 is opened by the adjacent gripping arm upon return of the latter to its retracted position, thereby breaking the holding circuit for and de-energizing the relay 312. This de-energizes the valve 306 to permit return of the platform positioning ram 218 to its normal retracted position under the action of the return spring (not shown) embodied in the ram.

The operation of the present packaging machine will now be briefly summarized. The anchor strips A are successively fed in the endwise direction from the nailing machine 30 to the front end of the infeed platform 44 by the reciprocating infeed mechanism 32. The anchor strips are fed to the present packaging machine 20 in their upright positions, wherein the carpet tacks T and the nails N project above the upper surfaces of the strips. Upon arrival at the infeed platform 44, the anchor strips are fed laterally, in successive side by side relation, rearwardly along the infeed platform 44 by the reciprocating lateral feed means 84 of the anchor strip stacking mechanism 26. At this time, the anchor strip supports 146 are extended and the anchor strip gripping arms 156 are retracted. Eventually, the laterally advancing anchor strips reach the position of FIGURE 2, wherein the leading group G of five anchor strips are supported on the currently extended anchor strip supporting bars 148 and the leading anchor strip A of the group actuates the three switches 152 at the rear of the infeed platform.

Actuation of these switches energizes the clutch 190 for the gripping arm drive motor 188, thereby effecting retraction of the anchor strip supports 146 and simultaneous extension of the anchor strip gripping arms 156. Retraction of the anchor strip supports 146 permits the five anchor strips of the leading anchor strip group G to drop into their initial stacking positions on the currently extended stacking platform 36 to form on the platform a first upright layer of anchor strips. During their extension, the gripping arms 156 initially move axially inward toward one another to grip the five intervening anchor strips of the anchor strip G and thereafter rotate to the extended positions of the arms illustrated in phantom lines in FIGURE 3, wherein these arms support the anchor strips of group G in their inverted positions over the first upright layer of anchor strips now on the stack ing platform 36. Upon arrival of the gripping arms 156 at their extended positions, the left hand gripping arm in FIGURE 2 actuates the switch 214 to de-energize the clutch 190 and simultaneously energize the valve 306 to cause downward extension of the platform positioning ram 218. At this time, the anchor strip supports 146 are retained in their retracted positions and the gripping arms 156 are retained in their extended positions, against the action of the currently tensioned shaft spring 186, by the engaged latches 199 on the anchor strip supports 146.

During downward extension of the platform positioning ram 218, the ram frame 226 drives the five anchor strips of the inverted anchor strip group G downwardly into stacking positions on top of the first layer of anchor strips on the stacking platform 36 to form on the platform a second, inverted layer of anchor strips. The extending platform positioning ram 218 also partially retracts the stacking platform 36 into the stacking well 58 and simultaneously releases the latches 199 on the anchor strip supports 146. The stacking platform is retained in its partially retracted position by the platform ratchet means 220. Release of the anchor strip support latch means 199 by the extending platform positioning ram releases the anchor strip supports 146 for return to their extended positions and the anchor strip grouping arms 156 for return to the retracted positions under the action of the currently tensioned anchor strip and gripping arm return spring 186. The platform positioning ram 218 remains in its extended position until the retracting, left hand gripping arm 156 in FIGURE 2 actuates the switch 240 to de-energize the solenoid valve 306. De-energizing of this valve vents the upper end of the ram cylinder 222, thereby permitting the platform positioning ram 218 to retract under the action of the ram spring (not shown).

During the above extension and retraction of the anchor strip gripping arms 156 and the platform positioning ram 218, the reciprocating, lateral feed means 84 of the anchor strip stacking mechanism 26 continues to feed anchor strips laterally, in successive side by side relation, rearwardly across the infeed platform 44 to fill the gaps left by the two anchor strip groups G and G which are now stacked on the infeed platform 36. Eventually, the currently leading anchor strip on the infeed platform engages the switches 152 at the rear of the platform to initiate the second stacking cycle of the machine. During this second stacking cycle, the anchor strip stacking mechanism 26 is operated, as described above, to place a second upright anchor strip layer and a second inverted anchor strip layer on the platform. This cyclic stacking operation continues until the stacking platform 36 has been retracted sufficiently into the stacking well 58 to actuate the switch 260 for the outfeed conveyor 38. Actuation of the switch 260 effects extension of the outfeed conveyor ram 262 endwise through the stacking well to eject the completed anchor strip stack B from the stacking platform to the packaging station 28. During this extension of the ram, the latter extends the latch 274 over the lip 280 on the stacking platform, to latch the latter in its retracted position, and simultaneously retracts the ratchet pawl 246 sufficiently clear of the ratchet teeth 252 to permit the pawl spring 250 to urge the pawl to its phantom line disengaged position of FIGURE 9. Upon arrival at its extended position, the outfeed conveyor ram 262 actuates the reversing switch 282 to reverse the outfeed conveyor motor 268 and thereby effect return of the ram to its retracted position. During this retraction of the ram, the latter returns the latch 274 to its retracted position and thus releases the stacking platform 36 for return to its upper extended position under the action of the platform spring The ram then remains stationary in its retracted position in readiness for the next operating cycle of the machine. During upward return of the stacking platform to its extended position, the racthet bar 242 for the platform moves upwardly relative to the ratchet pawl 246 which is currently located at the right hand side of the rib 254 on the bar and opposite the fiat bar surface 256. As the stacking platform approaches its upper extended position, the lower compound cam surface 258 on the ratchet bar 242 returns the ratchet pawl 246 to the left hand side of the ratchet bar, as the 19 latter is viewed in FIGURE 9, to place the ratchet mechanism 220 in readiness for the next operating cycle of the machine.

The above described outfeed cycle of the outfeed conveyor 38 and upward return of the stacking platform 36 to its extended position are so timed that the platform arrives at its extended position in time to receive the next group of five anchor strips which are delivered to the platform by the anchor strip stacking mechanism 36 to form the first upright anchor strip layer of the next anchor strip stack.

The first completed stack B of anchor strips which is ejected from the stacking platform 36 enters the carton C which is then located in its solid line position of FIG- URE l at the packaging station 28. After insertion of the anchor strip stack into the carton C, the flaps at the open end of the carton are folded to their closed positions and the carton is placed between the staplers 300 to seal the ends of the carton by stapling the carton flaps closed, thereby to complete the packaging operation. An empty carton is then placed in the carton receiving channel 292 at the packaging station 28 to receive the next conpleted anchor strip stack B ejected from the stacking platform 36.

It is evident at this point, therefore, that the invention herein described and illustrated is fully capable of attaining the several objects and advantages preliminarily set forth. While a presently preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed for illustrative purposes, numerous modifications in the design, arrangement of parts, and instrumentalities of the invention are obviously possible within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

What is claimed as new in support of Letters Patent is:

1. In a packaging machine for articles of manufacture, the combination comprising: a frame having a stacking well with an open top and an infeed platform terminating at one side of said stacking well; a stacking platform within said well; means on said frame supporting said platform for movement between an extended position adjacent the open top of said well and a fully retracted position adjacent the bottom of said well; a stacking mechanism on said frame for stacking said articles on said platform in successive layers disposed one on top of the other with the articles in each layer arranged in side by side relation including feed means for periodically feeding a group of said articles to stacking positions on said platform wherein the articles of said group are disposed side by side on said platform to form one of said article layers, platform positioning means for periodically partially retracting said platform into said well and retaining said platform in each partially retracted position thereof, thereby to locate the currently uppermost article layer on said platform in a position to receive the next group of articles from said feed means, and means for operating said feed means and platform positioning means in timed relation to produce on said platform in said fully retracted position thereof a completed article stack adapted for packaging; and said feed means comprising first reciprocating feed means for feeding said articles in successive side by side relation along said infeed platform to positions wherein the leading group of articles advancing along said infeed platform are disposed in said stacking positions over said stacking platform, and oscillatory feed means for periodically extracting an additional group of adjacent articles from said infeed platform, conveying said additional group to a position over said stacking platform wherein said additional group of articles overlie said leading group of articles, and placing said additional group of articles in stacking position on top of said leading group of articles.

2. A packaging machine according to claim 1 including: a packaging station on said frame adjacent said stacking well; and outfeed conveyor means on said frame adjacent said well for ejecting said completed article stack f om said stack g p atform ta a d pas a ng ation- 3. A packaging machine according to claim 1 wherein: said stacking well has an open side; a packaging station on said frame at said open side of said well; and outfeed conveyor means at the opposite side of said well for ejecting said completed article stack from said stacking platform through said open side of said well to said packaging station.

4. A packaging machine according to claim 1 including: a packaging station on said frame adjacent said well; outfeed conveyor means on said frame adjacent said well for ejecting said completed article stack from said stacking platform to said packaging station; and means on said frame at said packaging station for positioning an open carton to receive said completed article stack as the latter is ejected from said stacking platform.

5. A packaging machine according to claim 1 wherein: said stacking well has an open side; a packaging station on said frame adjacent said open side of said well; outfeed conveyor means on said frame at the opposite side of said well for ejecting said completed article stack from said stacking platform through said open side of said well to said packaging station; and means on said frame at said packaging station for positioning an open carton to receive said completed article stack as the latter is ejected from said stacking plaftorm.

6. In a packaging machine for carpet anchor strips having carpet tacks projecting from the normally upper surfaces thereof, comprising: a frame having a stacking well with an open top; a stacking platform within said well; means on said frame supporting said stacking platform for movement between an extended position adjacent the open top of said well and the fully retracted position adjacent the bottom of said well; and a stacking mechanism on said frame for stacking said anchor strips on said stacking platform in alternate upright and inverted layers disposed one on top of the other with the anchor strips in each upright layer arranged side by side with their normally upper surfaces facing away from said platform and the anchor strips in each inverted layer arranged side by side with their normally upper surfaces facing toward said platform, said stacking mechanism including feed means for alternately feeding upright and inverted groups of laterally adjacent anchor strips to stacking positions on said platform wherein the anchor strips of each upright group are disposed side by side with their normally upper surfaces facing away from said platform to form one of said upright anchor strip layers and the anchor strips of each inverted group are disposed side by side with their normally upper surfaces facing toward said platform to form one of said inverted anchor strip layers, platform positioning means for periodically partially retracting said platform into said well and retaining said platform in each successive partially retracted position thereof to locate the currently uppermost inverted anchor strip layer on said platform in a position to receive from said feed means the next upright group of anchor strips, and means for operating said feed means and platform positioning means in timed relation to produce on said platform in said fully extended position thereof a completed anchor strip stack adapted for packaging.

7. A packaging machine according to claim 6 including: a packaging station on said frame adjacent said stacking well; and outfeed conveyor means on said frame for ejecting said completed anchor strip stack from said stacking platform to said packaging station.

8. A packaging machine according to claim 6 wherein: said stacking well has an open side; outfeed conveyor means on said frame at the opposite side of said well for ejecting said completed anchor strip stack from said stacking platform through said open side of said well to said packaging station; and means on said frame at said packaging station for positioning an open carton to receive said completed anchor strip stack from said stacking platform,

9. In a packaging machine for carpet anchor strips having carpet tacks projecting from the normally upper surfaces thereof, comprising: a frame having an infeed platform and a stacking well opening at its upper end through said platform; a stacking platform within said well; means on said frame supporting said stacking platform for movement between an extended position adjacent the open upper end of said well and a fully retracted position adjacent the bottom of said well; and a stacking mechanism on said frame for stacking said anchor strips on said stacking platform in alternate upright and inverted layers disposed one on top of the other with the anchor strips in each upright layer arranged side by said with their normally upper surfaces facing away from said platform and the anchor strips in each inverted layer arranged side by side with their normally upper surfaces facing toward said platform, said stacking mechanism including first reciprocating feed means for successively laterally feeding said anchor strips in laterally side by side relation along said infeed platform with the normally upper surfaces of the anchor strips facing upwardly away from said infeed platform to stacking positions wherein the leading group of laterally adjacent anchor strips advancing along said infeed platform are disposed side by 'side on said stacking platform with said upper surfaces of the latter strips facing away from said stacking platform to one of said upright anchor strip layers, second oscillatory feed means for periodically extracting a group of laterally adjacent anchor strips from said infeed platform and conveying the latter group of strips to an inverted position over said stacking platform wherein the anchor strips of the latter group are disposed side by side with their normally upper surfaces facing toward said stacking platform platform pOSitioning means for driving said inverted group of anchor strips toward said stacking platform to stacking positions on top of the underlying upright anchor strip layer on said stacking platform, thereby to form one of said inverted anchor strip layers, and thereafter partially retracting said stacking platform into said stacking well to locate the latter inverted anchor strip layer to receive the next leading group of upright anchor strips from said infeed platform, means for retaining said stacking platform in each successive partially retracted position thereof, and means for operating said feed means and platform positioning means in timed relation to produce on said stacking platform in said fully extended position thereof a completed stack of anchor strips adapted for packaging.

10. A packaging machine according to claim 9 wherein: said stacking well has an open side; a packaging station on said frame at said open side of said well; outfeed conveyor means on said frame at the opposite side of said well for ejecting said completed anchor strip stack from said stacking platform through said open side of said well to said packaging station; and means on said frame at said packaging station for positioning an open carton to receive said completed anchor strip stack from said stacking platform.

11. In a packaging machine for carpet anchor strips having carpet tacks projecting from the normally upper surfaces thereof, comprising: a frame, a stacking platform on said frame, an anchor strip stacking mechanism on said frame including first means for intermittently feeding a group of upright anchor strips to stacking position on said platform wherein said strips are disposed side by side with their upper surfaces facing upwardly away from said platform, second means for intermittently delivering a group of inverted anchor strips to stacking position on said platform wherein said inverted strips are disposed side by side with their upper surfaces facing downwardly toward said platform, and third means for operating said first and second means in unison in such manner as to produce on said platform a completed anchor strip stack containing alternate upright layers of upright anchor strips and intervening inverted layers of inverted anchor strips, means mounting said stacking platform on said frame for movement between an extended position wherein said platform is disposed to receive the first upright layer of anchor strips from said first means and a retracted position wherein said platform is disposed to receive the last upright layer of anchor strips from said first means, and means for periodically partially retracting said platform as said stack of anchor strips increases in height, thereby to periodically reposition the platform to receive the next layer of anchor strips from said first means.

12. A packaging machine according to claim 11 including: a packaging station on said frame adjacent said platform, outfeed conveyor means for ejecting said anchor strip stack from said platform to said packaging station, and means on said frame at said packaging station for positioning an open carton to receive said stack from said platform.

13. A packaging machine according to claim 11 wherein: said frame includes an infeed platform leading to said stacking platform, said first means including feed means for laterally feeding said anchor strips in upright side by side relation along said infeed platform to said stacking platform to form said upright layers, and said second means including feed means for periodically extracting a group of laterally adjacent anchor strips from said infeed platform and placing the latter group of strips in inverted position atop of the previous upright layer of anchor strips on said stacking platform to form said inverted layer.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,961,810 11/1960 Johnson 5326 3,119,213 1/1964 Kinney 5326 FOREIGN PATENTS 79,595 11/ 1949 Norway.

TRAVIS S. McGEHEE, Primary Examiner US. 01. X.R. 

